This article conducts a doctrinal analysis of the legality of continued State funding for horse and greyhound racing in Ireland, assessing its compatibility with domestic and EU animal welfare obligations and Irish administrative law principles. Established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, the annual Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund allocates over €90 million to support these culturally and economically significant industries, yet intensifying public scrutiny – fuelled by media investigations, NGO reports, and parliamentary debates – highlights welfare deficiencies, including traceability gaps, inconsistent injury reporting, and inadequate rehoming practices. Employing a doctrinal methodology, the article examines primary sources: statutes like the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011; EU Regulations on transport, slaughter, and controls (e.g., (EC) No 1/2005 and (EU) 2017/625); and case law such as O’Connell v The Turf Club [2015] IESC 57 and Connolly v Bord na gCon [2020] IECA 122, which affirm regulators’ public-law duties. It integrates parliamentary materials and comparative insights from UK and New South Wales reforms. Findings reveal that funding remains lawful if conditioned on welfare compliance, but unconditional allocations risk judicial review for irrationality, failure to consider relevant welfare evidence, or disproportionality. Hypotheses posit substantive limits from welfare duties, vulnerability to challenge without evidence engagement, and the need for performance-based models. The article concludes that ministerial discretion must prioritise demonstrable welfare outcomes, transparency, and accountability. Recommendations advocate statutory amendments for conditional funding, independent audits, and enhanced reporting to reconcile legal obligations with industry interests, ensuring long-term defensibility.